Posted 4 years ago
BHIFOS
(418 items)
Brought this years ago from an Antique Store for "her indoors" but she didn't like it so added it to my collection and got her something else. Has an interesting tale, after paying for it (I always like to hear these stories after buying something as you know they aren't embellishing an item for sale) the proprietor told me she got it at a big auction clearance of 2 houses that had belonged to a former 3 term Prime Minister of New Zealand Robert Muldoon. Apparently the houses were chocka full of gifts he had received as PM so I'm sort of picking it isn't just junk. Has an interesting little symbol on the back, does anyone recognise it? I have done some searching through the internet but never seen anything like it. I am also interested in what it is made of? Came in the small box which I think is called a Tomobako
Here you go:
"This small but superbly crafted paperweight is modeled to represent the one of the most recognized ancient Japanese cloisonné items located the Shosoin, the official repository of historically important items located in the city of Nara, Japan.
The paperweight is decorated in green and red enamels on a twelve sided body.
The other side, made to represent the mirror is finished in a plain matte polish, the marked near the edge with a small unidentified artist or manufacturer’s mark of the letter “A” within a heart-shaped outline.
I originally purchased this mirror several years ago as part of my long term efforts to acquire works that incorporated the many different techniques and styles of Japanese cloisonné enamels.
The diameter of the mirror is approximately 2.5 inches
The thickness of the mirror is approximately 0.25 inches
The paperweight is in pristine, mint vintage condition, without any major faults, such as cracks, chips, crazing, hairlines or restoation.
This exact piece is illustrated on page 115, in Chapter 15, entitled, “Yaku-Jippo” which exploresvarious examples serving a utilitarian purpose in "Japanese Cloisonne Enamels; A Private Collector's Notes and Reference Guide," by Gary Yoshino. (PIB- Pictured In Book)."
https://www.ebay.com/itm/124312553707?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=124312553707&targetid=1068323857350&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9031915&poi=&campaignid=11614424777&mkgroupid=118874170051&rlsatarget=pla-1068323857350&abcId=9300456&merchantid=6296724&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjPaCBhDkARIsAISZN7RQEc8xHEwI7BpD3WTrTqEPilQSXogd9gZVvYVx2n4jM86l0r2fiSQaAuKLEALw_wcB
There are groups of Japanese art collectors on Facebook that will translate the box for you.
Thanks Celiene! That pretty much covers it :)